Pat Horgan goaled a late free but Cork slumped to their second defeat of the campaign as reigning champions Waterford marched on at Páirc Uí Rinn. It was Waterford’s second win in less than a week, after they great effort against Kilkenny last Sunday, and they were led to victory by their All-Ireland minor winning contingent from 2013.

Austin Gleeson was a star in the half-back line again, and his late point ensured victory – that came directly after Maurice Shanahan was given a straight red for an off-the-ball incident. Cork’s Alan Cadogan was also sent-off in a feisty ending to the match but despite Horgan’s goal Waterford held on. Waterford played into a slight breeze in the first-half, but still held a 0-11 to 0-7 lead at the break.

Horgan got Cork’s account up and running after seven minutes – Kevin Moran had earlier angled over an effort from the touchline. Waterford hit three in a row, with Shanahan finding his range, Darragh Fives advanced from the half-back line to add his name to the scoreline and Gleeson’s effort from distance was a fantastic score.

Horgan and Shanahan exchanged frees before Daniel Kearney and Brian Lawton slotted as they reduced the arrears to the minimum, 0-5 to 0-4 after 16 minutes. Jamie Barron got a deserved point, and further efforts from Shanahan and Patrick Curran (both two) and a smart point from Jake Dillon ensured Waterford were in the ascendency at the break. But Horgan kept Cork in it with four first-half points. He hit their first of the second-half, five minutes in but Shanahan and Colin Dunford added to Waterford’s tally. Waterford shot three in a row with Barron’s second giving them a 0-16 to 0-8 lead. But Cork didn’t drop their heads.

Horgan and Brian Lawton notched efforts before a tremendous Aidan Walsh sideline brought the home-faithful to their feet. Dunford’s disputed point just before the hour re-established Waterford’s seven-point lead but Conor Lehane hit two in a row. Shanahan got his marching orders in the 66th minute, and after Gleeson pointed a free, Cadogan was also sent-off. Horgan goaled but Waterford had enough.